Playing loud sound is an offfence and it may result upto 5 years of Jail in India. Loud noise cause hear loss, high blood pressure, Ischemic heart disease. Noise pollution is increasing and it can be controlled through certain laws introduced by the government. In this article I am giving all information about Noise pollution, how to control, laws against Noise pollution. So read the complete article till the end.
What is Noise ?
• Any unwanted sound that causes annoyance, irritation and pain to the human ear is termed noise. It is measured in A-weighted decibels (dB (A)) that indicate the loudness of the sound.
• Relevant Acts
• THE NOISE POLLUTION (REGULATION AND CONTROL) RULES, 2000 under - Environment Protection Act 1986
• Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 290 - Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for.-Whoever commits a public nuisance in any case not otherwise punishable by this Code, shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.
• You can call Police
They have the power to stop the noise by suspending the noise-producing instrument and prohibiting the further use of that equipment or instrument.
Restrictions on use of Loud Speakers.
(1) A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used except after obtaining written permission from the authority.
(2) A loud speaker or a public address system or any sound producing instrument or a musical instrument or a sound amplifier shall not be used at night time except in closed premises for communication within, like auditoria, conference rooms, community halls, banquet halls or during a public emergency.
(3) The State Government may subject to such terms and conditions as are necessary to reduce noise pollution, permit use of loud speakers or public address system and the like during night hours (between 10.00 p.m. to 12.00 midnight) on or during any cultural or religious festive occasion of a limited duration not exceeding fifteen days in all during a calendar year.
(4) The concerned State Government shall generally specify in advance, the number and particulars of the days on which such exemption would be operative.
(5) The peripheral noise level of a privately owned sound system or a sound producing instrument shall not, at the boundary of the private place, exceed by more than 5 dB (A) the ambient noise standards specified for the area in which it is used.
Section 15, Environment Protection Act 1986. Penalty For Contravention of Provisions Of The Act And The Rules
(1) Whoever fails to comply with or contravenes any of the provisions of this Act, or the rules made or orders or directions issued thereunder, shall, in respect of each such failure or contravention, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both, and in case the failure or contravention continues, with additional fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which such failure or contravention continues after the conviction for the first such failure or contravention.
(2) If the failure or contravention referred to in sub-section - continues beyond a period of one year after the date of conviction the offender shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years.
• You can approach the Central State Pollution Control Boards who are the nodal authorities to take action under Environmental Protection Act.